Liverpool face Bayern Munich in Germany on Wednesday night with the tie currently goalless. Bayern are the bookmakers’ favourites to go through to the Champions League quarter-finals, but Michael Owen believes the Reds will progress.
He told the Liverpool Echo : “It’s certainly on a knife edge and it’s the toss of a coin, I’d suggest. “Nil-nil is never a bad result in my opinion. Of course Liverpool could go out there [on penalties] drawing 0-0 but any score draw sends them through.
“This away-goal rule could play into Liverpool’s hands now. So it is a 50/50 game. “Liverpool of course have conceded a couple of goals against Burnley , but in general they have been looking as solid as a rock at the back.
“It’s feast or famine at the moment up front. They are either not scoring or scoring fours and fives, but we know there are goals in there and Bayern Munich are on a nice little run, too. “They scored plenty of goals at the weekend [beating Wolsfburg 6-0] but it’s not the best Bayern team I’ve ever seen. “They aren’t streaking clear at the top of the Bundesliga, so I’m pretty confident.”
Michael Owen is backing FC Barcelona to secure their place in the Champions League quarter-finals by beating Lyon at Camp Nou on Wednesday night.
The Spanish giants are looking to progress through to the last eight of the Champions League as they look to continue their strong form in Europe. The two sides played out a goalless draw in the first leg last month but FC Barcelona will now be the heavy favourites to secure their spot in the quarter-finals.
And former Liverpool FC star Owen feels convinced that the home side will have enough to secure their spot in the last eight of the Champions League at the expense of the Ligue 1 side. Writing in his column for BetVictor, Owen said: “Barcelona have won all three home games against Lyon in the Champions League by an aggregate score of 10-2 and I can’t see past another win for the Spanish giants although their lack of an away goal is a slight concern.
Meanwhile, Klopp insists it is “mad” to suggest accepting a Champions League exit to help their domestic title push would be a preferred option.”They (pundits) talk constantly. It doesn’t mean they make more sense because of that.
That’s the problem,” said the Reds boss. “I really don’t think that any other coach or manager in the world has to answer this question when he plays in the Champions League.
“It’s really unique. It only happens if you are the Liverpool manager and the pundits come from Manchester United and start these things. “It is so easy to sit in an office or a studio and talk about things like that.
